Dive into the fantastic world of folk harp playing! We’re delighted to welcome back Steph West and Stacey Blythe, with Halsway newcomer Fidelma Hanrahan, to lead a weekend of harp workshops and sessions in our annual weekend dedicated to harp playing in a folk context.
This year we have Irish tunes including ornamentation from Irish harper Fidelma Hanrahan, Welsh traditional music and composition with Stacey Blythe, and Steph West will be focusing on session skills, using a variety of tunes. All tutors will rotate through our three classes: beginners, improvers and intermediate/advanced.
Using a range of repertoire we’ll explore the music, arrangements and techniques for playing the harp in traditional music, and there’ll be classes for players of all levels.
There will be a tutors’ concert on Saturday evening and plenty of time for informal playing and socialising!
Who is it for?
This weekend is for players of any level, or anyone who is interested in getting started. Our Folk Harp Weekend will require more advanced players to work by ear, with music provided at the end.
For complete beginners, and those who have taken a beginners course but want a refresher. Working on basic technique, making a great sound and learning how to play in comfort. We work slowly and carefully with more individual attention.
Steph West is providing harp hire again for anyone who does not have their own instrument yet. This will need to be booked in advance so let us know at the time of booking if you wish to reserve one of these.
Our improvers class is for players who can already perform a simple tune. If you can play a simple Christmas carol with a simple left hand then this is for you. We’ll work steadily and calmly on building your skills and include some technique work if needed.
Our intermediate/advanced class is for players who want to try faster tunes with more complicated music.
The Team
Harpist and singer Steph West works as a performer, teacher and workshop leader. She embraces both English and Irish trad styles, working with artists and organisations in both fields.
Steph currently plays with the English Harp Project, celebrating English folk tunes on the harp through concerts and workshops.
The only harpist with 9.5 fingers, Steph works within the integrated/disabled arts world as a performer with the British Paraorchestra and RNS Moves, and has mentored for Open Up Music who are pioneering the National Open Youth Orchestra.
Stacey Blythe is a Composer, performer, and multi instrumentalist who has performed all over the UK and America. She is a regular composer for the Welsh National Opera’s max department (new opera ‘9 stories high’ is coming soon!). She also performs with Ffynnon and Elfen duo.She has toured and recorded as a composer and performer with many different artists (Maria Hayes), poets (including Patrick Jones), musicians (Dylan Fowler, Julie Murphy, Meredith Monk) and storytellers including Nick Hennessey. Stacey is currently touring with Adverse Camber, ‘Hunting the giants daughter’ with Michael Harvey and Lynne Denman.
Fidelma Hanrahan is a London-based harpist and Irish harp teacher from Co. Clare. She holds a BMus from University College Cork and an MA Ethnomusicology from Goldsmiths College, University of London. She has taught widely in Ireland and London, including a semester as Harp Tutor at University College Cork. Fidelma is interested in traditional music’s place in contemporary culture. She is a member of Shovel Dance Collective, a nine-piece experimental folk group, and also performs as part of the Irish Gamelan Orchestra.
Credit – Hector Manchego